Planning for The Grand Teton/Yellowstone Trip
I am in the planning stages for a trip west from Northwestern Pennsylvania in the summer of 2015. Route will be out to South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and back. Idea is to see the Badlands in South ...
Forum Discussion
Russell 5000. You have an awesome trip planned! And you have gotten some good advice here. FWIW, we have 16 years part time RVing and 97% or so in the 11 western states and provinces - but the 3% included the Black Hills / Badlands. Have been to all the places you mention and some many times.
That being said, I recognize people have different ideas about things but this is my 2¢ worth.
I think you are well prepared; maybe too much equipment. Depends on your comfort level on that.
We have Good Sam Emer Road Service and, unfortunately, have had to use it in the past. It has been excellent. As such you may not need all the heavy equipment.
We hike and I do photo work so we tend to hang out at places longer than some. But we are retired and we can do it; so why not?
Don't rush though and think you have the right idea on mileages; but we very rarely go over 300 miles - like you say, sometimes can't help it. But if we have 2 - 3 at most - long days in a row we find a place and stay two nights and then move on.
Forget the Corn Palace.
Places will be crowded and you best have reservations.
Places we have stayed and recommend -- KOA at Badlands, Rafter J at Mt. Rushmore area, Colter Bay at Grand Teton and Grizzly at Yellowstone.
Times at each depend on you. But Badlands is usually a couple of days and Black Hills / Devils Tower one day, Grand Teton 4-5 days, Yellowstone 5-7 days.
As mentioned, if you can include Glacier NP, it would be fantastic. One of our favorite places.
Just my humble opinion and I probably forgot some things!
But emphasize, it will be crowded so make reservations.
Be safe and enjoy.
That being said, I recognize people have different ideas about things but this is my 2¢ worth.
I think you are well prepared; maybe too much equipment. Depends on your comfort level on that.
We have Good Sam Emer Road Service and, unfortunately, have had to use it in the past. It has been excellent. As such you may not need all the heavy equipment.
We hike and I do photo work so we tend to hang out at places longer than some. But we are retired and we can do it; so why not?
Don't rush though and think you have the right idea on mileages; but we very rarely go over 300 miles - like you say, sometimes can't help it. But if we have 2 - 3 at most - long days in a row we find a place and stay two nights and then move on.
Forget the Corn Palace.
Places will be crowded and you best have reservations.
Places we have stayed and recommend -- KOA at Badlands, Rafter J at Mt. Rushmore area, Colter Bay at Grand Teton and Grizzly at Yellowstone.
Times at each depend on you. But Badlands is usually a couple of days and Black Hills / Devils Tower one day, Grand Teton 4-5 days, Yellowstone 5-7 days.
As mentioned, if you can include Glacier NP, it would be fantastic. One of our favorite places.
Just my humble opinion and I probably forgot some things!
But emphasize, it will be crowded so make reservations.
Be safe and enjoy.
